The leader of Huntingdonshire District Council has insisted that there will be no charge for collecting garden waste while he remains leader of the authority.

Councillor Jason Ablewhite moved to quell rumours that the council was considering introducing a charge to collect green bins – a measure which has been adopted by several councils across England, including Waveney, in Suffolk.

Householders can recycle grass cuttings, shredded paper and food waste in their green bins, and collecting them currently costs the authority £900,000 a year.

Cllr Ablewhite said: “Whilst I am leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, there will be no charge for the first green bin.

“This is a service that our residents put great value on, and while many other councils, even some near to us, are now charging for green waste, Huntingdonshire District Council will continue to provide the first green bin as part of the services that we provide with no additional charge.”

The council does charge, however, for additional green bins supplied to households. The current cost is £40 per annum.

Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Shellens, who represents Huntingdon East, said introducing a charge for green bins would have led to “increased fly-tipping”.